Gabe Barclay approaches the table and takes the seat beside Charlie. “You know my vote on that subject. I don’t trust that man or fox at all.” He pauses and looks over at the bar. “Hey, Sam, can I get some water?” Then he looks at me. “Oh, Doc said to go on without him. He’s held up out at Randall Jackson’s farm. One of the kids got his foot stuck in something and broke his ankle. He said he’ll stop by the mayor’s office on his way back into town.”
Gabe is chief of police and alpha to another wolf pack in town. His entire pack works at the police station, earning them the name Patrol Pack. He’s also one of my closest friends. I hope he can help me out with this whole mating situation. He’s been mated for a few years. Maybe he can give me some advice.
Next to arrive is Nicholai. “Sam, I’ll take a glass of the zinfandel. Thank you.” He continues as he takes the chair opposite Charlie and next to me. “Hello, everyone. I hear we have a lot to talk about today.”
Nicholai Alexeev is the only dragon in town and probably in North America. There are only a few in existence, making them extremely rare. Most shifters have never seen one. I trust him and he seems to trust me. I’m one of a handful who has seen his dragon. They don’t reveal themselves often or to many.
I turn to Nicholai. “We do have a lot to talk about. As soon as Bear gets here, we—” I’m cut off by shouts coming from the front door.
“Here I am! Sorry I’m late. Mrs. Tindale and her damn cat again. I know she’s human, and I also know that she knows about shifters and that I’m a bear. So why does she call every week for me to rescue that cat? Domesticated animals don’t like shifters. It’s probably why the damn cat keeps trying to escape.” Bear takes the seat between Nicholai and Marvin, the eagle shifter. “Hey, Sam. Can I get a beer, please? And give me what Jack is having. I need to devour something that vaguely looks like it could have been a cat.”
Laughter erupts around the table.
Hank “Bear” Honaw is chief of Wolfton Fire and Rescue. He’s alpha to the bear clan and sits on the council as both the bear representative and the chief of fire and rescue. He’s one massive man, and I think his nickname would be Bear even if he couldn’t turn into one. He’s also the kindest and gentlest person I know. His job as a first responder is perfect for him. He can calm down anyone in any situation. As another of my closest friends, I depend on him to be my voice of reason. And to keep things real with laughter.
“Mr. Tindale died last year, and I guess Mrs. Tindale tagged you in to keep her company in his absence,” Charlie says to Bear as he moves his salad around on the white plate in front of him.
“Let’s get on with this meeting now that most everyone is here. We have a lot to talk about today.” Taking the last bite of my burger, I push the plate to the side and pick up my beer.
Before I can continue, Bear speaks up. “I can’t believe she bought that house so fast. Travis, you’re the banker in town. Couldn’t you have declined the loan?” Bear takes a long pull from the cold beer Sam just delivered.
Travis Balentine crosses his arms and leans back in his chair. “She didn’t come to the bank. It’s my understanding that she paid cash. The list price was eighty-five thousand, and she offered sixty-five thousand, as is, with a quick closing, and they accepted it. Even with all the work it needs, it’s a steal. I would have paid that for the land alone.”
He’s the manager at the bank and is alpha for the cougar pride in Wolfton. They’re a small group but seem to be increasing in numbers. He’s a good guy, but he’s a cat. We’ve never been at odds with each other and seem to have developed a mutual respect. I hope to keep it that way.
The table erupts with comments about the price. Even Marvin says a few things that I don’t quite hear, and he never talks in the meetings. I know he’s paying attention. Details do not escape those sharp eagle eyes. Sam brings the rest of the food and drinks and disappears behind the bar.
I prop my elbows on the table with my hands locked together under my chin. And my knee is bouncing out of control. “I go out to the house tomorrow for a walk-through of the property. Amanda gave my name when the girl was asking about contractors in the area. Anyone know her name? We can’t keep calling her the human or the girl.”
Every time the girl is mentioned, I get twitchy and my skin crawls. My wolf is anxious too. I’ve never felt like this before, and I can’t figure out the reason for it. I’m not sure if knowing her name will help or hurt. Doesn’t matter. I’ll find out soon enough.
“Ashley Carson. Amanda said she’s fairly young, smart, and very determined.” Charlie continues to push the salad around on his plate.
The chill that runs up my spine at the mention of her name throws me off-kilter. I don’t understand what’s happening. I need to focus. “I’ll see what I can find out at the walk-through. Maybe I can make the repairs sound worse and convince her to cut her losses before winter sets in.”
“Who else will be at the walk-through? This could get ugly real fast, and we don’t need any of that showing up in the papers.” Gabe is always thinking like a cop. The man does not have an off switch.
I look over at Gabe to answer. “AJ Cartwright and George Blaine. AJ is a good kid who’s in way over his head since his dad passed from that accident earlier this year. I’ll try to figure out a way to help him out. He won’t be an issue. George is a different story. He and his pack charge the client premium prices, do shoddy work, and cut corners that will get somebody hurt. They’re starting to do more work in our area, and I don’t like it. They’re spreading out too far from their territory. He’s a beta and usually backs down when bidding against me. Let’s hope that continues.”
“Sounds like the job is yours. That could work out well. You could keep an eye on the girl and slowly teach her about our way of life here in Wolfton.” Nicholai always has a positive outlook on things. Which is weird because he’s a miserable grump.
“I still have to win the bid. She’s human and has already proven to be unpredictable.” I can’t shake the chill running up and down my back. What is wrong with me? We need to move this meeting along. My wolf needs to run, and I can’t do that here in town. “Anything else to discuss besides the new human in town? We can’t really come up with a plan of action until I assess the situation in the morning.”
A wave of headshakes makes its way down the table. I see Grant walk in the front door and head toward the bar. Perfect timing.
“OK. My ride is here, so I’ll see everyone later. Charlie, I’ll call you after the walk-through so we can discuss how to proceed.” I stand and start walking toward the door. The sooner I get out of here, the better.
“Sounds good, Jack.” Charlie motions for Sam to bring the bill.
◆◆◆
Walking out of Dakota’s, I nearly collide with Christi Chambers. I catch her scent just in time to avoid physical contact. She’s doused in cheap perfume, making her easy to detect. She’s tall and bone thin. Fake bleach-blond hair is piled high on her head. She keeps her face caked with too much makeup, and her fake fingernails are too long. She wears ridiculous clothes that are too small and a bit on the slutty side. Her fake boobs are too big for her frame, making her look like she’s about to topple over. Nothing about her appearance, or her scent, appeals to me in any way.
Her personality is worse than the package it comes in and just as fake. No one can quite figure her out. She has it in that head of hers that she’s beautiful, classy, and better than anyone around. She thinks she’s too good for this town, but she won’t leave. She prances around town, bossing people about, and expecting them to listen. When she doesn’t get what she wants, her temper tantrums wreak havoc for days. They’ve even been joked about on the local news. None of the shifters in town, including myself, has ever gotten her true scent due to all that perfume. My guess is that the perfume is hiding something unsavory.
A few years back, she decided that I was the one for her. I don’t have a clue how she got that idea, but I’ve spent
just as long trying to avoid her. Several people in town help me with that, giving me a heads-up text when she shows up somewhere outside of her normal routine. I’ve declined her advances in every possible way each time I see her, but she refuses to hear it.
“Jack, it’s about time we ran into each other. Why haven’t you called me? We still haven’t gone on that date we keep talking about.” She pushes her boobs out toward me and tries to rub her hands on my chest.
I step back to avoid contact. Grant keeps on walking. I hope he’s getting the truck.
“Hello, Christi. I told you before that alphas can’t mate with humans. It’s best if we stay acquaintances.” I try to be polite, but my patience is running thin.
“Oh, Jack. Those silly shifter rules don’t have to apply to us. We can make our own rules. We’re grown adults.” She’s doing a strange thing with her lips and swaying back and forth. I think she’s trying to be sexy, but it’s not working. She looks weird. This woman is a real piece of work. I think I’m going to have nightmares after this.
Grant pulls the truck up to the curb. “Jack, we’re going to be late for that meeting. Let’s go.”
Thank you, Grant.
“Sorry, you heard the man. I have to go, or I’ll be late.” I step toward the truck, open the door, and climb inside as fast as I can. If she touches me, it’ll take days to get rid of the smell. Doesn’t tomato juice get rid of skunk smell? I wonder if it’d work on Christi.
“OK, Jack. Call me later, and we can get together this weekend. It’s time you stopped playing so hard to get. You know we’re meant to be. It was great seeing you.”
Grant pulls away as she waves goodbye.
◆◆◆
Grant Negrescu is my younger half-brother and the beta of our pack. I’ve known him his whole life, and he knows me better than anyone. He’s a little shorter and slimmer than me. He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, so he manages everything and keeps track of the money: all the paperwork, accounting, permitting, and insurance. That works for me, as I hate that part of the business. The ride back to the pack house is usually quick, but I can tell there’s something on Grant’s mind.
Grant stares straight ahead, with both hands on the wheel. “I got everything ready for tomorrow. I went to the town and pulled the permits and got a copy of the plans, both the original and the ones submitted for the previous remodel. We’re the first to request copies. I found out that there’s still an open permit that doesn’t expire for another six weeks. If we get in quick, we can use that permit to begin demolition while we wait for our permits to come in. I talked with Constance at the town hall. She said they would have no problem with that, as long as it’s demo only.”
Yep, he has something on his mind.
“We have to win the job first. It could take her two or three weeks to review the bid documents.” I glance at the stack of paperwork in the backseat. I should probably look through some of it before I go to the walk-through tomorrow.
“How did the council meeting go?” Grant still hasn’t looked at me.
He’s nervous about something big. Damn, there’s only one thing he hates to talk about: me mating.
“Just say it, Grant. You’ll feel better afterwards and then we can get on with our evening. Shit, I still smell Christi. When will she get the hint that I’m not interested?” I roll down the window to air out the inside of the truck.
“Some of the guys are getting restless. They’re asking if you’re even looking.” His posture hasn’t changed, and he still hasn’t looked at me.
“When am I supposed to look, Grant? We work all the time, and all the alpha females in our area are either mated or publicly claimed. You want me to cause a pack war? Alphas can’t mate with humans, Grant. What do you suggest I do? Want me to call Christi?” I can’t believe we’re having this conversation again. Unbelievable. I don’t need this shit today. My skin has been crawling for days and my wolf won’t settle down.
Finding a mate is coming up in our conversations more and more. None of the guys have said anything to me, only Grant. I guess I should be the one to bring it up. Explain the whole situation to them. Maybe they’ll understand the predicament I’m in and back off while I try to find a solution.
“You didn’t say how the meeting went.” Grant finally looks over in my direction. The tough talk is over. He made his point and the subject has changed. He’s so predictable.
“Fine. All anyone can talk about is the new human in town. If we win this bid, it should keep us busy through winter. If we plan it right, we can do the basement and other interior work during the cold weather, which should carry us until spring.” I shift in my seat to get my phone out of my pocket before continuing.
“Getting AJ out of the bidding will be easy. He can’t handle this job so soon after his dad’s passing, and his business is struggling. I think I’m going to offer to hire him as a subcontractor. Bring him on to work with you and Max. You two can teach him as much as you can. His dad was a good man, and I’d like to help him somehow. AJ being human shouldn’t affect the pack. George is a different beast. I have to be smart about getting him to back out. The last thing we need is his alpha spreading accusations. I’ll figure it out during the walk-through tomorrow.”
I watch the trees go by out the window. “Hey, do you know who the contractor was that worked on that house when the owner died?”
“Yes. AJ’s dad, Matthew Cartwright. AJ should have the files, at least a list of what’s already been completed. Why?” Grant turns onto our road.
“Just thinking. And that’s one more reason to bring AJ in as a sub.” I let that information settle in my mind.
“Grant, I know they’re restless. I am too. I want to be mated. I’m ready, but I don’t want to rush into anything. She’ll not only be my mate but also the alpha female for the pack. I want the right mate, not just any mate.” The silence continues the rest of the way home. Grant knows as well as I do, this decision is not an easy one to make.
CHAPTER 4
Nicholai
I am Nicholai Alexeev. I’m a dragon. I was hatched in the mountains in Russia just over nine hundred years ago. My kind doesn’t form packs, and we prefer to be alone. A mated dragon will live with its mate, but there has not been a mated pair since before the twelfth century. There are not many dragons left, seven or eight, I think. The last remaining female happens to be my sister.
Several years ago, I was hired by Snowbie. A witch of some kind. I don’t know a great deal about her. She’s far more mysterious than I try to be. She hired dragons for this job because our senses are significantly stronger than other shifters. Not only is our sight, smell, and hearing better, but we can detect the slightest variation in body temperature, mood, and even thought patterns. We are also measurably stronger, can fly, and breathe fire.
Before I took the assignment, I spent a few days with her learning the details of the job she wanted me to perform. During that time, she revealed that she had had several prophetic visions about an epic war. The outcome of this war could expose shifters to humans on a global scale and thus end shifters entirely, including dragons. She believes she can minimize the war and steer the outcome to protect shifters and humans. Leaving life to continue much as it does now.
Snowbie believes that the signs leading to this war will accelerate once a certain alpha becomes mated to a specific female. Their mating will turn him into a high alpha. Meaning he will be alpha over other alphas and other species, including humans. Something that is unheard of in both the shifter and the natural worlds.
The female is the key, making her far more important than the alpha. She’ll have been born a human, but she’ll also have alpha female traits. She’ll never be able to shift but will be able to produce alpha shifter offspring if mated to a shifter. Snowbie called her a natural-born alpha female. To shifters, her scent will be that of a human but different somehow, and they won’t know why.
Once they’re mated, both the high alpha and the
natural-born alpha female will undergo a transformation of sorts. Their power will develop, slowly at first, until it reaches its full potential. Snowbie does not yet know the extent of these powers, and she hopes to be around to observe and guide them as they grow.
There is no way to know who the human female might be. But Snowbie has narrowed down the possible alpha candidates to three. I oversee one of them. My sister and one of our cousins are off somewhere watching the other two. The first one of the three to mate with the natural-born alpha female is the winner and becomes the high alpha.
The war and its outcome are dependent on which of the three possible candidates becomes the high alpha. Until he becomes high alpha, his path will not be known. He will either be good and want to protect both shifter and human—basically, wanting life to continue just as it always has. Or he will be bad—letting the power go to his head and try to rule over all species and humans like a deranged king seeking world dominance. Upon acceptance of this job, the three of us vowed to protect and defend the high alpha if he is good and to destroy him if he is bad.
So here I am, living in the mountains of New Hampshire. Watching and trying to become friends with one wolf alpha, Jack Negrescu. Dragons don’t have friends. A fact that makes this task challenging. But I like Jack, and his pack seems to have gotten used to me hanging around.
Every month since I arrived several years ago, I call Snowbie to give her an update. All the calls have been pretty much the same, with nothing new to report. This is the first call that has information that could lead to something significant.
Snowbie answers the phone on the first ring.
“Hello, Nicholai. How are you this evening? Why didn’t you call yesterday? Has something happened?”
“Hello, Snowbie. I’m very well. Thank you for asking. I hope you’re doing well too. And yes, I believe there have been some interesting developments since we last spoke. It could be nothing, but I’m not so sure.” I adjust the air conditioner in my car.
Delivered: (The Blackpaw Prophecy, Book 1) Page 4